June 2026
Doctoral Studies at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
In September 2024 I started my PhD at the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism at Carleton University in partnership with the Department of Architecture at the University of Coimbra, funded by a scholarship from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, the Portuguese research funding scheme. I am studying the operationally of the free hand sketch in contemporary architectural practice through the single and singular case study of the vast collection of sketchbooks by Álvaro Siza. The collection is held at two archival institutions, the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal, Canada and Drawing Matter Collection in London.
The thesis is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2028.
My research is supervised by Professor Federica Goffi (Carleton) and Professor Jorge Figueira (Coimbra) with Professor David Leatherbarrow (University of Pennsylvania) as advisor.
July 2020
Conversation with Álvaro Siza, Day 72, 100 Day Studio
At the invitation of the Architecture Foundation, Bruno Silvestre conducted an interview with Álvaro Siza as part of the 100 Day Studio programme. We discussed matters at the margins of architectural practice, with particular reference to other forms of artistic expression such as sculpture and painting, as well as the role that criticism has played in the shaping of his work. The conversation is now available in the Architecture Foundation channel.
March 2020
Biennale d’Architettura di Venezia 2020
We are very honoured to have been selected to feature one of our social housing projects (Bairro Padre Cruz) in the the Portuguese pavilion at the Biennale d’Architettura di Venezia 2020 – postponed to 2021. The Portuguese representation at the Biennale, curated by depA Arquitectos, is titled “In Conflict”, responding directly to the question How will we live together? – posed by Hashim Sarkis, curator of the Biennale d’Architettura 2020.
February 2020
Work In Progress talks at the Instituto, Porto
Alongside Andrew Clancy and the host Paulo Moreira, Bruno Silvestre presented work in progress at the Instituto in Porto. Bruno presented the trilogy of social housing projects for Lisbon City Council designed with Alexandre Dias and Luis Spranger since 2013.
December 2019
Bruno Silvestre speaks at “Europe in Álvaro Siza” conference, Porto
Bruno Silvestre speaks at the Europe in Alvaro Siza conference, hosted by the Serralves Foundation, presenting reflections on the work of Álvaro Siza and how this is forms part of the European artistic tradition. The intervention was based on research of some of Álvaro Siza’s sketchbooks archived in Drawing Matter, Somerset.
November 2019
Bairro da Boavista, Lisbon, Phase 1 complete
The first phase of Bairro da Boavista is complete and has been handed over to residents by Lisbon Mayor Fernando Medina. The first phase consists of 50 homes, ranging from 1 to 4 bedroom units. Phase 2 of this project is scheduled to start on site in 2020. Project by Bruno Silvestre, Alexandre Dias and Luis Spranger. Photography: José Campos
September 2019
Bairro Padre Cruz opens its doors to Open House Lisbon 2019
Our second social housing project for Lisbon City Council will be open to visits as part of the Open House Lisbon 2019 programme on the weekend of 21 and 22 September. Project by Bruno Silvestre, Alexandre Dias and Luis Spranger. Photography: do mal o menos
June 2019
Bruno Silvstre interviews Álvaro Siza
In the context of Álvaro Siza’s visit to the project site in Surrey, Bruno Silvestre interviewed one of the most admired architects of our time. The conversation is available in the Register Architecture and Landscape podcast produced by the Department of Architecture and Landscape of the Kingston School of Art.
June 2019
Frascari Symposium IV, Kingston School of Art
Frascari Symposium IV, Kingston University
Bruno Silvestre speaks at the Frascari Symposium IV, on The Secret Lives of Architectural Drawings and Models, organised and hosted by the Department of Architecture and Lanscape of the Kingston School of Art. Bruno Silvestre presented a paper written in co-authorship with Armando Rabaça titled “The Life of Secret Architectural Drawings: Considerations on the Generative Power of the Sketch through Alvaro Siza’s Archive“.
April 2019
brunosilvestreARCHITECTURE collaborate with Álvaro Siza on his first project in UK
We are privileged to have the opportunity to collaborate with Alvaro Siza on his first project for a permanent building in United Kingdom. The project is for a single family house in Surrey.
October 2018
Bairro dos Sete Céus/Cruz Vermelha, Lisbon starts construction on site
Our third social housing project commissioned by Lisbon City Council has started construction on site. The project consists of 130 residential units, ranging from 1 to 4 bedroom and it will be built in a single phase, scheduled to be complete in 2020. Project by Bruno Silvestre, Alexandre Dias and Luis Spranger. Image source: Gabriel Couto SA
March 2018
II Conference “Aprender com a Viagem/Travel Learning”, Coimbra
Bruno Silvestre participates in the second conference on Travel Learning organised by the Department of Architecture of the University of Coimbra, where he studied in 1990s. Bruno shared his experience of architectural education in the United Kingdom with colleagues and old friends and reflected on the fundamental role of travelling for architecture students and architects.
February 2018
Bruno Silvestre interviews Manuel Aires Mateus
Bruno Silvestre, alongside Diego Calderon interviewed Manuel Aires Mateus during his visit to the Department of Architecture and Landscape of Kingston School of Art. In this conversation, Manuel Aires Mateus is prompted to revisit the early years of practice with his brother Francisco and the evolution of their work in the last two decades. The interview is available in the Register Architecture and Landscape podcast produced by the Department of Architecture and Landscape of the Kingston School of Art.
December 2017
Bairro Padre Cruz, Lisbon listed for RIBA International Award 2018
Following completion in September 2017 our project for 20 residential units in Bairro Padre Cruz, Lisbon is listed for the RIBA International Award 2018. The project consists of 20 residential units and is an adaptation of the project originally conceived for Bairro da Boavista. Project by Bruno Silvestre, Alexandre Dias and Luis Spranger. Photography: do mal o menos
August 2017
Small house extension complete in Islington, North London
brunosilvestreARCHITECTURE complete small house extension in a Victorian terrace in Islington, North London, consisting of a refurbishment of a garden maisonette. The new white brick volume gives access to the garden via an external stair that forms part of the volumetric ensemble.
January 2017
New commission for Bairro dos Sete Céus, Lisbon
Bruno Silvestre, Alexandre Dias and Luis Spranger have been commissioned by Lisbon City Council to design 130 residential units to Bairro dos Sete Ceus, on the north fringes of Lisbon. The project will consist of the second adaptation of the scheme originally designed for Bairro da Boavista, the winning entry for the international design competition in 2013.
The project is scheduled to start on site in late 2018.
November 2016
“Peripheral Typologies and Topographies” Lecture and Exhibition at the ETSA Seville
On 17th November, Bruno Silvestre and Noel Cash presented the work of the Year 3 (BA) Architecture Studio they run at the Department of Architecture + Landscape of Kingston University London. The exhibition and lecture at the ETSA Seville, featured a sample of the work developed over the last three academic years in the urban voids of Granada, Seville (Spain) and Coimbra (Portugal) in collaboration with the local schools of architecture.
October 2016
Housing project in Guildford town centre
brunosilvestreARCHITECTURE have been appointed to design a high end housing project in one of the most sought after areas on the edge of Guidford town centre. The project will comprise 8 residential units and sits within a conservation area characterized by dense vegetation and very high quality vernacular architecture.
We are very pleased to start working on such an exciting project shortly after our office moved to Guildford.
The project is being developed in collaboration with planning consultancy firm Highgate Planning.
August 2016
Our office moves from London to Guildford
The relocation of our office from Hoxton, London to Guildford, Surrey has given us the opportunity to reconsider our position in the world of Architecture.
We are eager to work in the proximity or within the inspiring landscapes of Surrey Hills. This, in reverse, will enrich our perspective of London. We will be excited to return to London for every site visit and client meeting of our ongoing and new projects.
August 2016
Zona de Alvenarias Social Housing Phase 1 commences construction
Three years after our winning completion entry for this hillside on the west fringes of Lisbon, this large and ambitious project starts on site. Following a complex process of decanting and demolition, Phase 1, comprising 5 plots and 50 residential units has commenced on site. Completion due in late 2017.
January 2016
Padre Cruz Social Housing starts on site in Lisbon
Padre Cruz Social Housing is a sister project of the winning entry to the competition for the Zona de Alvenarias we won in 2013. This resulted from a commission from the Lisbon City Council to adapt the project to a new site within the Padre Cruz Neighbourhood in the northern fringes of the city of Lisbon. The building accommodates an identical mix to the original project – one to four bed units – comprising 20 residential units. Completion due in spring 2017.
October 2014
“Subversives” Lecture and Debate at the AE Foundation, Edinburgh
Bruno Silvestre will sit alongside Álvaro Siza, Sérgio Fernandez, Jorge Figueira and Luis Urbano in a series of talks and debate on the Portuguese architectural culture of the second half of the 20th Century. This will be hosted by Samuel Penn from the AE Foundation at the ESALA in Edinburg on 9th October and forms part of the wider programme of the RSA Izi Metzstein Discourse 2014 delivered by Álvaro Siza.
September 2014
Bairro da Boavista Social Housing at the Beijing Design Week 2014
We are pleased to announce that our winning entry for the Bairro da Boavista Social Housing Competition in Lisbon will be featured and presented at the Beijing Design Week 2014 in September. Alongside Alexandre Dias and Luis Spranger, Bruno Silvestre will be presenting the project as part of an exhibition and talks on the work of a selection of Iberian emerging architects.